When and Where to Fish

Fishing in the far north of Scotland starts very early on in the year. The earliest seasons include the River Carron in Easter Ross, the Helmsdale, the Kyle Rivers and the Thurso which all open on 11 January. The latest rivers close on 31st October and include the Carron Wester Ross, Dionard and Wick.

The fishing on the rivers of the far north is generally best afer some rain when a spate will bring fish into the rivers in numbers. The fishing picks up as the season progresses with July onwards providing the best of the sport.

The rivers can all be fished with single-handed rods although some anglers do prefer longer double-handed rods which can provide greater control of the fly.

The rivers, given the right conditions, can be extremly productive with several rivers now experiencing year-on-year increases in catches due in no small part to the active management of the rivers by the owners, which are under single ownership in many cases.

Even if the rivers are unfishable due to lack of, or even too much, water the local areas offer some of the very best wild brown trout fishing to be had in Scotland.

From the great limestone lochs in Durness through to the myriad of lochs in Assynt there is something for every ability. Some of the lochs are on the roadside while others require a high degree of fitness and commitment being several miles off road in the wilderness.

River Borgie

There are also some great lochs to fish for sea trout, such as Loch Hope and Loch Maree. Fishing on these waters is usually done from ghillie-operated boats dapping for the sea trout - an experience once tried never to be forgotten.